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11 Dec 2012

Ricky Martin

Photo by Richard Termine

Producers Hal Luftig and Scott Sanders announced on Dec. 11 that the 2012 Tony Award-nominated production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita would close Jan. 26, 2013, after 26 previews and 337 regular performances at Broadway's Marquis Theatre.

There had been talk of recasting principal roles created by international pop icon Ricky Martin (Che), Olivier Award-winning Argentinean actress Elena Roger (Eva) and Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris (Perón) in the Michael Grandage-directed revival, but the producers opted to end the run (with those stars in place) and look ahead to the fall 2013 launch of a yet-to-be-cast national tour at Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island.

"Our extensive search for a new cast presented the significant challenges of not only replacing a high-caliber trio of stars but also synchronizing the schedules of potential replacements with that of the production," Luftig said in a statement. "Despite going down the road with a variety of artists, the planets have simply not aligned for us to engage the right talent at the right time. Therefore, we have made the decision to end this incredible journey on a high note on Jan. 26 with our original stars intact."

Sanders added, "The style, grace and vision brought to this legendary musical by the cast, musicians and creative team exceeded our wildest expectations. We were thrilled by the diversity of the audiences that have filled the Marquis every evening and look forward to sharing this beautiful production with even larger audiences across the country beginning next fall."

Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Grandage (Red) and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie), the first new Broadway production of Evita, the pop-rock character study of the rise and fall of Argentina's post-World War II first lady also features Christina DeCicco as the alternate for Eva (Wednesday evening; Saturday matinee), Max von Essen as Magaldi and Rachel Potter as the Mistress.

Performances began March 12, 2012, prior to opening April 5, at The Marquis Theatre — one of Broadway's largest houses.